LG Unveils World's First Dual-core Smartphone

LG has announced the Android-based Optimus 2X, which is packed with
the Tegra 2 processor and what is sure to become baseline specs for
future top-tier Android devices.



"Dual-core
technology is the next leap forward in mobile technology so this is
no small achievement to be the first to offer a smartphone utilizing
this technology," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, CEO and President of
LG's mobile unit, said in a press release. "With unique features
such as HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) mirroring and
exceptional graphics performance, the LG Optimus 2X is proof of LG's
commitment to high-end smartphones in 2011."


The dual-core Tegra 2 processor, developed by NVIDIA, clocks at 1 GHz,
but with low power consumption and enhanced audio and video
performance. LG claims that the dual-core processor also allows for
faster web browsing and touch response.



Some other key specifications of the Optimus 2X:

• 1Ghz Dual-core
  Processor (NVIDIA Tegra 2)
• 4-inch WVGA screen
• 8GB memory (up to
  32GB via microSD)
• 1,500 mAh battery
• 8 megapixel rear camera and
  1.3 megapixel front camera
• HDMI mirroring
• DLNA
  compatibility
• 1080p MPEG-4/H.264 playback and recording
• Android
  2.2 "Froyo" out of the box, with upgradeability to 2.3
  "Gingerbread"

Kinect sex game coming to the PC

A new sex game for the Kinect motion controller has been demonstrated on YouTube by a company named ThriXXX, maker of 3D SexVilla 2. Less than two months after release, the controller-free experience designed for family activities is becoming a new medium for the pornography industry. The game allows users to simulate sexually intimate acts by only using their bodies.

"ThriXXX is currently in development of adult themed Kinect games for the Microsoft XBOX 360 and or PC. Currently still in its testing stages the company plans to release this technology to the public," reads the video's description. "As you can see from the tech demo the Kinect camera works well with the software matching hand movements with on screen interaction fairly flawlessly."

Microsoft likely won't allow the game on its Xbox console, though there really isn't anything stopping the company from releasing the game on the PC. Still, gamers would have to purchase the $150 accessory to play. The game is slated to be released for Windows 7 next year.

PhotoPal is a best photo editing app for your iPad

PhotoPal from MacPhun, LLC, an outfit whose iPhone photo editing app has been updated which now make it not only one of the best photo editing apps for the iPad, but also one of the easiest to use. To promote the app's updates, PhotoPal is only $0.99, with the price of the app rising to $3.99, tomorrow, Monday, December 20^th.

A nice price, but is PhotoPal 2.0 worth your $.99, much less $3.99? Let's have a look.

After downloading the app, one is presented with several options for choosing photos to edit, the iPad's Photo Album, pictures from PhotoPal Docs, and once you've used the app more than once, one can return to their last session or use a picture from your iPad's clipboard.

Once you've selected a photo to edit, PhotoPal offers many ways to enhance, alter, and share photos. Some of the features of this feature-filled app include:

• Easy-to-use buttons and menu items
• Red eye removal, spot healing and voluminous other photo-editing tools
• Effects and filters to transform your photos.
• Photo editing through only a single tap of the iPad screen
• Simple undo and redo functions
• Photo sharing via E-mail, Facebook, Flickr or Twitter

Games for Managers

Sim City Deluxe
It has been more than two decades since Will Wright wowed the world with Sim City. A game in which you took over as Mayor and City Planner of a city and met challenges that varied from deciding whether to build shopping malls or hospitals to saving the city from crises like earthquakes and alien attacks.

Even now, Sim City remains as popular as ever. And it now also has a very good mobile avatar. The challenge remains very much the same: You have to build a city from scratch and make sure that it runs smoothly.

Because if you do not, the people will simply trickle out of your city, leaving you with nothing but a ghost town and a ‘Game Over’ sign. And, just like in real life projects, you will find that the money at your disposal is never quite enough.

Real Football Manager 2010
For most people, the manager of a football club is a figure who is seen hopping on the touchlines of a football match, shouting encouragement (and often abuse) to his players on the pitch. But the fact is that there is more to a football manager's life than just a lot of frothing at the mouth.

One has to work out tactics, decide what formation to play, negotiate deals with players and agents, manage and massage all those egos in the dressing room, keep an eye on the rival camp, oversee training, talk to the media, and make sure that you are on the right side of your club's chairman (and if not, keep a look out for a new job), among other things.

This game brings almost all of this to your handset. It would help if you know football, but even those who do not know the sport can have a blast with this game.

The Settlers
You and your friends set sail on a voyage of exploration and thanks to a storm, get stuck on an island. Having no other choice, you settle down and build your own world there. Unfortunately, there are no happily-ever-after scenarios here as the age-old problem of limited resources with alternative uses exists at its brilliant best (or worst, depending on your inclination) here. Decisions, decisions...and a few of them are easy ones. Remind you of work?

Age of Empires 3: The Asian Dynasties
The original Age of Empires launched a whole new era in the world of gaming on the PC, allowing the gamer to participate in and sometimes even manipulate historical events. Well, the third edition of the series has brought that experience to the handset and this variation of it with its stress on India, China and Japan, allow you to choose a nation and lead it to supremacy, once again marshaling resources skillfully and negotiating deals and treaties with rivals.

Air Traffic Controller 4.0
For those who prefer action to planning, this is definitely the game to play.  You play the role of an air traffic controller who is directing a number of aircraft to different locations, ensuring that each lands safely and of course, that they avoid each other.
You have to keep your eyes peeled at your cellphone’s screen, watching the progress of different aircraft in a host of weather conditions, and work out routes to ensure that they all reach safely. Strategic thinking on your toes never got better than this.

7 best iOS games of the year

Best Transition to the iPad
Angry Birds HD
By Chillingo
In making the leap to the iPad, Angry Birds HD kept the core gameplay of the popular iPhone version-defeat egg-stealing green pigs by bombarding their fortifications with the none-too-pleased ornithoids of the game’.'s title-while making the most of the tablet's spacious screen. On the iPad, you can really appreciate the clever animations and intricate level design. With new updates including a new boomerang bird and new levels, Angry Birds continues to improve-and impress.


Puzzle Game of the Year
Osmos for iPad
By Hemisphere Games
When you first hear about it, Osmos for iPad doesn't sound all that exciting: You tap the screen to propel your small blob of matter, aiming to absorb smaller blobs while avoiding those larger than you. And the truth is, Osmos isn’t all that exciting. But it’s undeniably enthralling, combining gorgeous graphics and hauntingly beautiful music-use headphones or you'll miss out-with Multi-Touch gestures that let you zoom in and out and slow down and speed up time. Gameplay is simultaneously casual yet exacting, frustrating yet oddly relaxing. It’s a game that feels made for the iPad, and like the objects on the screen, it will suck you in if you're not careful.


Casual Game of the Year
Fruit Ninja
By  iPad version, Halfbrick Studios
Whether in iPhone or iPad forms, Fruit Ninja boasts two ideal qualities for casual gaming-it's easy to learn and fun to master. In this funny, quick game, you slice your way through a diverse array of delicious fruit flying across your screen in a Kill Bill-style pulpy fruit massacre. Adding to the fun are great visuals, including lots of fruit juice flying with every slice, and a great, Eastern-infused soundtrack. Avenging yourself against produce has never been so fun.


Platform Game of the Year
The Incident
By Big Bucket Software
Frank Solway’s having one of those days where it seems like the whole world is falling down on him-which, to be fair, it kind of is. Big Bucket Software’s The Incident is not only gorgeous, featuring detailed 8-bit artwork inspired by platform games of yore, but its simple tilt-to-run and tap-to-jump controls make it a snap for even the casual gamer to pick up and start playing. The game’s appeal goes beyond the retro, too: innovative features let you use your iPhone as a controller for the iPad or-with the help of Apple’s iPad video adapter-use your HDTV as a display.


Tower Defence Game of the Year
Plants vs. Zombies
By PopCap Games
Another game that delivers the goods in either iPhone or iPad form, Plants vs. Zombies is a unique tower defense game in which you must plant peapods, mushrooms, squash, and other deadly legumes to fight back the zombie hordes. The beautiful cartoon artwork is on the right side of zany and sets a light-hearted tone from the get-go. The zombies are silly, distinctive enemies that vary in character-besides your standard groaning zombies, you also have to fend off zombie football players and balloon riders, who each boast their own distinctive battle skills. Various mini-games and numerous achievements to unlock will keep you coming back again and again.


Strategy Game of the Year
Carcassonne
By The Coding Monkeys and Hans im Glück
Though it hews closely to the popular German board game upon which it’s based, Carcassonne seems tailor-made for the iOS. Like its cardboard predecessor, the mobile version is all about laying down tiles, building roads and castles, claiming territory, and trying to prevent your opponents from doing the same. But the iOS offering adds multiplayer modes (via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or pass-and-play) as well as solitaire play against eight different computerised opponents with differing strategies, and the simple graphics look great on the touchscreen. It’s a great iOS app for one other reason: A single game takes about as long as the average American's daily commute.


Multi-player Game of the Year
Words With Friends HD
By Newtoy
Words With Friends for iPhone (macworld.com/ 5520) gave the Facebook Scrabble craze its first real competition, letting you play multiple Scrabble-like word games with friends near and far-even when you’re on the go. But Words With Friends HD eliminates the iPhone version’s biggest frustration by giving you a usable full-board view-no more zooming in and out, in and out. Once you're hooked, you’ll find yourself anxiously awaiting that distinct chime letting you know one of your opponents has finished a turn-and hoping it's not a triple-letter/triple-word play of Q-U-I-Z.

Google Launches Maps 5.0 for Android

Google Maps 5.0 – the new version of the app is now available for download in the Android Market.

Two big new features in this release are 3D view and offline rerouting. The 3D view uses vector graphics to dynamically draw the map on the screen of your device. You can tilt it, rotate it and smoothly zoom in and out the map with finger gestures. Another new feature is the compass mode, which will make the map rotate to match your perspective, so you can get a better idea of where you are.

Also, you don't have to worry (so much) about being offline, as the app now caches the areas next to the one you're currently in, meaning you'll be able to seamlessly keep navigating for a while even when offline. If you're using Google's turn-by-turn GPS navigation, the app can now calculate a different route, even if you're offline. You still need a connection to start a route, however. This feature will be rolled out gradually over the next couple of weeks.

The new version of Google Maps will work on Android 1.6 devices, but only owners of Android 2.0+ devices will be able to enjoy the new 3D and offline capabilities.

Samsung unveils Galaxy Tab Luxury Edition

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Tab Luxury Edition today at the Millionaire Fair in Amsterdam

The Galaxy Tab Luxury Edition will sell for about $1,000 and be packaged with a leather case and a Bluetooth headset, the TG daily reported.

The tablet included in the Luxury Edition package is the exact same Google Android-powered model as the standard Samsung Galaxy Tab, the report said.

The base-model Galaxy Tab sells for about $599 through Verizon, or $399 from Sprint or T-Mobile -- as long as you're willing to sign up for a 3G data plan.

AT&T is selling the 7-inch-screen tablet for $650 without a contract.

Source : latimes

Top 10 Ranking Components For Local Company Listings in Google Places

1 – The quantity 1 influence factor for Google business enterprise listings – Citations!

You want to add your enterprise name and get in touch with details to all of the company directories and websites that you simply need to be listed on. Any directory or site that is associated to your location and industry should have your details listed on it. Quite a few directories permit you to add your enterprise by filling out a type. To obtain added to market related websites, you might need to make some calls or send some emails. Having a bit of effort, you may get many citations that may influence your enterprise listings ranking.

2 – Claiming your listing

You should claim your listing. By claiming your listing, you are able to make edits to your profile page and add more facts about your organization. Google desires you to do this and make sure that it is up-to-date.

3 – 100% completion

When you edit your profile page, Google will provide you with a completion rate. To get the best ranking, this needs to be 100%.

4- Contact particulars in your very own internet site

This is often an overlooked factor – be certain your web page has your contact details including your business name, address and phone quantity. In case you can, place it on each page.


5 – Organic Ranking

Your ranking for the chosen words within the organic search results does have an indirect influence to your local small business listing. Attempt and optimise your web-site for a fantastic ranking within the search engine outcome pages.


6 – Add evaluations

Don’t add fake evaluations. Help the approach of obtaining critiques by asking your pleased clients to add critiques. Remind them to add the key phrases you’re targeting.

7 – Add video

Google likes videos and they have made it incredibly simple to add your own videos. If your profile doesn’t comprise videos yet – what are you doing?

8 – Add photos

Add pictures of one’s business, merchandise and staff. Ensure you name the files appropriately so Google knows what the titles are about.

9 – Proximity of small business

This factor place to use to be really necessary but from my own experience, it is not as essential because it employed to be. You still want an address inside the city that you want to optimise for.


10 – Add Coupons

Google desires to see additional interactivity with their Google Places section to folks keep coming back. By adding coupons, it adds worth towards the user knowledge and helps with your rankings.

WhiteyBoards Introduces The WhiteyNotes and WhiteyPads

Whiteyboards are big panels of dry-erase plastic that you can stick to any wall in the house or office. They are removable without damage to the underlying surface and they're significantly cheaper than any other whiteboard solutions out there. The company just introduced WhiteyNotes, dry-erase sticky notes, and WhiteyPads, to-do list-type sheets for kitchens and/or kink dungeons.

The notes come in Post-It size and cost $5 for ten. The pads come for $8 per 10 and are 5×8 inches. Both are infinitely reusable, assuming a repeating, never-ending universe and not accounting for entropy. The company is a former YCombinator start-up.

Product Page

Google Voice Number for Santa

Google has set up a Google Voice number for Santa (855-34-SANTA) where you can leave the big fella a voicemail. That's only half of the fun, however Google has set up a website (sendacallfromsanta.com) where you can set up a message that will ring any number in the United States with a personalized message from Santa.

Mac App Store Target for January 2011 Launch

Apple will launch the store in the new year.

While a specific date was not given for the official opening of the store by my sources, Apple will meet the 90-day deadline given during its October "Back to the Mac" media event.

MacRumors points out that a January launch would allow time for 10.6.6 to finish testing and be released, which I think is a logical reason. It also point out that we already know that the iOS App Store won't be reviewing apps over the holidays (shutting down in a week or so), so it wouldn't really make sense to launch the Mac App store just before people go on holidays.

TweetDeck released released Web client

You can get TweetDeck, the popular realtime stream reader,released its first Web client as a Chrome app in the new Chrome Webstore.

You can sign in with your existing TweetDeck account, and add different realtime streams in different columns—Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare checkins, Google Buzz. Soon it will support Gmail as well. There are combined columns labeled Home (all timelines from various accounts), Me (all mentions and messages directed at you such as Twitter @replies), and Inbox (direct messages, and soon Facebook and Gmail messages).

The Chrome app is supposed to be faster, more stable, and less of a memory hog than the desktop AIR version. Once you installit onto your browser, it exists within its own tab. And it is always available for you, with any other apps you install, when you launch a new blank tab.

Malicious Goo.gl Links Spreading on Twitter

A large number of messages containing only the link goo.gl/R7f68 has appeared on Twitter today, redirecting the users to various malware-laden sites.

The messages are mostly coming from disposable accounts, but they also appear on some accounts that appear to be genuine, which indicates that there's a worm spreading and sending the messages from infected accounts. Furthermore, all of the messages containing the link are sent from the mobile version of Twitter

The Next Web has traced the origins of the link in the messages, which sends users to a French site (http://artcan-developpement.fr) that has apparently been hacked to forward users to sites containing various malware scripts.

While the majority of the messages currently contain an identical shortened link, have in mind that the link is very likely to change in the future. As always, do not click on any suspicious links, and always keep your computer protected with antivirus and anti-malware software.

Paper.li adds Facebook status updates

Paper.li, the startup out of Switzerland added Facebook status updates to its armoury. Currently it's best known for auto-magically curating a daily newspaper from the links shared by the people you follow on Twitter. This time it's public Facebook status updates.

Skype preparing to launch web-based service in 2011

Skype could be gearing up to release a web-based version of its VoIP service. According to job postings on the company’s website, Skype is putting together a team that will build an infrastructure capable of supporting hundreds of millions of users and bringing voice, video, chat and presence to the web. TechCrunch did some digging around and claims to have confirmed that the new service will launch in the first quarter of next year.



The launch is expected to include integrations with multiple partner sites, such as LinkedIn, and will be based on browser plug-ins rather than being a full HTML5 solution. Apparently Skype wants to transform itself into a platform and needs to embed itself in many places for people to expand its footprint and bring in more dollars. To this end the company is supposedly readying premium telephony features on top of its current set of options currently available.

Tablet and e-reader buying guide 2010

E-readers:

The Kindle

Amazon Kindle (Wi-Fi only: $139; 3G: $189)

Pros: The Kindle's display, which measures 6 inches diagonally, uses "electronic-ink" technology, which makes it easy to read books, newspapers and magazines in direct sunlight. It falls somewhere between an iPhone and an iPad in size and weighs half a pound, making the device from Amazon.com Inc. thinner and lighter than Barnes & Noble Inc.'s Nookcolor, its strongest rival. The Kindle also lasts longer on a charge: up to one week with Wi-Fi on and two to three weeks with it turned off.

Cons: Screen is gray-scale only. The pages are slow to turn, and zooming and scrolling don't work. Lacks a built-in light source. Clunky built-in Web browser. Doesn't accept books from public libraries.

Barnes Noble Nookcolor ($249)

Pros: Displays books and magazines in color. The brightness of the 7-inch touchscreen can be adjusted for comfortable reading in a wide range of lighting conditions. Besides a large library of books, magazines and newspapers, Barnes & Noble sells children's books with built-in narration tracks. Some books can be lent to friends, who can download Barnes & Noble's software for free to read them.


Cons: Children's books are expensive -- $8, compared with child-friendly iPad apps that cost about $2. The screen is too small for comfortable reading of magazines. At 1 pound, it is twice as heavy as Amazon's Kindle, although still lighter than the iPad. Its battery life (eight hours with Wi-Fi turned off) is relatively short, although still sufficient for a round-trip flight across the country.

Tablets:

Apple iPad (Wi-Fi only: $499-$699; 3G: $629-$829)

Pros: Has the same intuitive interface as the iPhone and iPod Touch, but optimized for the iPad's larger 9.7-inch display. Syncs with the popular iTunes software, whose store sells music, movies and e-books. Up to 10 hours of battery life. There are more than 300,000 apps available in the app store; more than 40,000 of them were designed specifically for the iPad, making this the most versatile tablet, by far. All models connect over Wi-Fi, while 3G versions can use AT&T's cellular network, whose plans in the U.S. cost either $15 or $25 per month and require no long-term contracts.

Cons: It is relatively large and weighs about 1.5 pounds, so it's not as easy to use one-handed as a smaller tablet such as Samsung Electronics Co.'s Galaxy Tab. Lacks a camera for video chatting. Students will find fewer textbooks available in Apple Inc.'s iBooks than in Amazon's Kindle store.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab

Samsung Galaxy Tab ($399 with two-year contract; $599-$649 without)

Pros: The Tab runs the same Android software that can be found on many a smart phone. Solid build quality and brisk performance. It is a bit smaller than the iPad and about half its weight. It has dual cameras, something the iPad lacks entirely, allowing people to video chat, record HD movies and snap still photos. The Tab's display is sharper than the iPad's.

Cons: The Tab's 7-inch display makes for a less immersive movie-watching experience than the iPad's larger one. Many Android apps weren't designed to fill the Tab's larger screen. Video chat can be slow over both Wi-Fi and 3G cellular networks. The Tab only costs $399 if you commit to a two-year contract with Sprint or Verizon Wireless, which let the Tab run over their 3G networks. Verizon Wireless and AT&T sell the Tab with optional contracts, but it costs more up front ($599 on Verizon and $649 on AT&T). Monthly data plans range from $25 to $60.
Source: "

Top Bing Search Terms 2010

As Bing search engine continues to increase in popularity, they released the top search terms for 2010

The most searched for topic was Kim Kardashian which received 20% more searches than the second most popular term Sandra Bullock. Bings top searched term of 2009 was Michael Jackson, who dropped to the number 11 position for most popular people.

1. Kim Kardashian
2. Sandra Bullock
3. Tiger Woods
4. Lady Gaga
5. Barack Obama
6. Hairstyles
7. Kate Gosselin
8. Walmart
9. Justin Bieber
10. Free

Most popular people searched in 2010 on Bing:

1. Kim Kardashian
2. Sandra Bullock,
3. Tiger Woods,
4. Lady Gaga
5. Barack Obama
6. Kate Gosselin
7. Justin Bieber
8. Jesse James
9. Lindsay Lohan
10. Jennifer Aniston
11. Michael Jackson

The World's Chocolate Shops at Your Fingertips

Get your daily fix of the sweet treat with Chocomap. This new Canadian web site, sponsored by Ecole Chocolat, uses the Google Maps API to find chocolate shops throughout the world. Using the standard Google Maps interface, you can search geographically then zoom in on a location. Read brief descriptions of chocolate destinations or post your own review. There's lots of other useful information too, including recipes, chocolate e-cards, interviews with top chocolatiers, tips on cooking with chocolate, and background information about the origin and cultivation of the plant that gives us this wonderful food.


Already, the site has more than 1,000 listings in over thirty countries. Definitely one for my favourites list.

Test Your Vocabulary and Help others

FreeRice lets you test your vocab skills and donate food to the hungry at the same time. Each word you get right is worth 20 grains of rice.

You gradually work your way up the levels, with the top score around 50.

HP New Laptop Launched with 8.9 Inch Screen, Features

Hewlett-Packard Co unveiled its first product for the fast-growing tablet market, a $ 799 device running Microsoft Windows that is aimed at business customers.

HP's offering has an 8.9-inch, multi-touch-enabled screen, weighs 1.5 pounds and comes with 64 gigabytes (GB) of storage and a digital stylus pen. It gets five hours of battery life.

It comes equipped with Wi-Fi access but no built-in capability to connect to high-speed cellular networks, as rivals including the iPad, Samsung Electronics' Galaxy Tab and Dell's Streak have.

Features

1. The HP Slate features the Intel Atom processor, which is commonly found in inexpensive netbook computers. Rival tablets run on low-power ARM-based chips found in smartphones.

2. The device is equipped with cameras in the front and back, enabling video conferencing, and a USB port. It comes with a case and a docking station.

3. HP's Slate is now available online, and the company will be selling it to businesses through its direct sales force.

It's $ 799 price tag makes it more expensive than the Wi-Fi-only version of the iPad, which starts at $ 499 and runs up to $ 699 for a 64-GB model. A 3G iPad starts at $ 629.

Verizon Wireless plans to sell Samsung's 7-inch tablet for $ 600. Dell's 5-inch Streak is priced at $ 550 but can be had for $ 300 if bought with a data plan through AT&;T.

5 Sites To Read E-Books For Free

Project Gutenberg

This is a best website that functions with an agenda of digitalizing books that are out of copyright.Most of the classics can be obtained from this site for free. If you are interested in getting their entire collection, they are ready to send you a DVD with all the e-books they have digitalized for free. You can donate them if you can to show your support.

Google Books

Google Books contains e-book variant of newer books too but, the preview is limited to certain important pages of the text.You cannot download books from their site. If you are looking for some reference Google Books might suit you. Magazines are also found on Google Books.

Free E-books.net

This site stocks some of the rarest books you might not find on the sites mentioned above. I was saved by this site at many instances when searching for a book. Get Free EBooks is a similar site.

Planet PDF

Hosted by Nitro PDF’s makers, this site has a PDF version of a lot of books which you can find on Gutenberg. The text is bigger and can be easily read. I downloaded ‘Sense and Sensibility’ from this site and loved their edition.

The Burgomeister’s Books

This site has a lot of E-books (both contemporary and classic). You may request any number of books and the agreement is that you delete the books after reading them since keeping some of them in your system is not legal. I regularly download books from this site. You may download the entire collection at the same time after donating the site’s owner.

3 Tools to Send more than 140 characters on Twitter

Below are the best 3 services that allows you to send more than 140 characters on twitter.

Tweet Compressor

Tweet Compressor makes your tweets shorter by replacing groups of two or three letters with a single character that looks the same.

TwitLonger

Twitlonger is an easy way to post long messages to Twitter without the need to write a blog post. Write what you need here and we post the link to Twitter for you

TinyPaste

Tinypaste is a simple web service that lets you to paste any text or code and then save it. Once you save it, you will get a Tiny url where you can share it directly on twitter.

Track Your Sent Gmail Messages

For Gmail users, there is another verification option. EmailOracle is a plugin especially for Gmail that tracks sent messages. It uses a small graphic to tell whether or not an email has been opened by the recipient—when the graphic opens, obviously the email has displayed on the recipient’s screen.

Mozilla: Google Making “Sneaky” Installations on PCs

Mozilla director of community development Asa Dotzler is concerned about the unintended installation of software on PCs. While Microsoft and Apple are named as usual culprits for this, Google was also singled out as well for this practice.

It's surprising to hear at first, since Google doesn't have many natively installed applications. But when someone installs Chrome, it appears that a plugin for Firefox called the Google Update Plugin is installed as well. There appears to be a way to remove this plugin on the Mozilla forums, but the next time Chrome is updated it will return.

According to section 11.1 of Chrome's End User License Agreement:

Chrome may automatically download and install updates from time to time from Google. These updates are designed to improve, enhance and further develop the Services and may take the form of bug fixes, enhanced functions, new software modules and completely new versions. You agree to receive such updates (and permit Google to deliver these to you) as part of your use of the Services.

Still, I do not understanding the purpose for Google to install an update plugin for Firefox, and sneaky persistent installations are probably not the best way to go. Agreed?

via InformationWeek

Facebook's 'Like This' Button Is Tracking You

A researcher from a Dutch university is warning that Facebook's 'Like This' button is watching your every move. Arnold Roosendaal, who is a doctoral candidate at the Tilburg University for Law, Technology and Society, warns that Facebook is tracking and tracing everyone, whether they use the social networking site or not. Roosendaal says that Facebook's tentacles reach way beyond the confines of its own web sites and subscriber base because more and more third party sites are using the 'Like This' button and Facebook Connect.